Garmet provided with an inflatable protective device

Abstract

A garment (10) including an inflatable protective device (11). The device (11) includes at least one inflatable bag (12), an inflator unit (14), sensors (17, 18), and a control unit (19). The bag (12) for moving between a rest condition, wherein it is deflated, and an operating condition, wherein it is inflated. The inflator unit (14) for inflating the bag (12). The sensors (17, 18) for monitoring the user's body for shocks or unexpected movements. The control unit (19) for processing the data provided by the sensors (17, 18) and for activating the inflator unit (14) if, on the basis of the data received by the sensors (17, 18), a danger situation is identified. The garment (10) provided with a display unit (22) which includes an alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display (24) for providing the user with messages and/or symbols about the internal status of the device (11).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A garment ( 10 ) comprising an inflatable protective device ( 11 ), the inflatable protective device ( 11 ) comprising:
 at least one inflatable bag ( 12 ) suitable for moving between a rest condition, wherein it is deflated, and an operating condition, wherein it is inflated; 
 an inflator unit ( 14 ) designed for inflating the at least one inflatable bag ( 12 ); 
 sensors ( 17 ,  18 ) designed for monitoring the user's body for shocks or unexpected movements; 
 a control unit ( 19 ) designed for processing the data provided by the sensors ( 17 ,  18 ) and for activating the inflator unit ( 14 ) if, on the basis of the data received by the sensors ( 17 ,  18 ), a danger situation is identified; 
 characterized in that the garment ( 10 ) is provided with a display unit ( 22 ) which comprises an alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ) for providing the user with messages and/or symbols about the internal status of the inflatable protective device ( 11 ), the display unit ( 22 ) being removably housed inside a protective housing ( 39 ) which comprises a fastening margin ( 40 ) and a protection wall ( 42 ) and is integral with the garment ( 10 ). 
 
     
     
       2. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) is integrated in an outer surface of the garment ( 10 ). 
     
     
       3. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises at least one signaling device ( 32 ) designed for supplementing the messages and/or symbols displayed on the alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ). 
     
     
       4. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises a user interface ( 34 );
 by acting on said user interface ( 34 ) the user being able to switch on/off the display unit ( 22 ) and/or to enable/disable the activation of the inflator unit ( 14 ). 
 
     
     
       5. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) is connected to the control unit ( 19 ) via serial data communication lines for exchanging data between the display unit ( 22 ) and the control unit ( 19 ). 
     
     
       6. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 5 , characterized in that a cable connects the control unit ( 19 ) and the display unit ( 22 ). 
     
     
       7. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) is connected to the control unit ( 19 ) based on a wireless protocol. 
     
     
       8. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises a microprocessor ( 36 ) designed for controlling which messages and/or symbols are to be displayed on the alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ) on the basis of data sent to the display unit ( 22 ) by the control unit ( 19 ). 
     
     
       9. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the data sent to the display unit ( 22 ) comprise a status word representing the internal status of the inflatable protective device ( 11 ). 
     
     
       10. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises a microprocessor ( 36 ) designed for commanding the signaling device ( 32 ) on the basis of data received from the control unit ( 19 ). 
     
     
       11. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises a microprocessor ( 36 ) comprising at least a memory area, wherein the messages and/or symbols to be displayed on the alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ) are memorized, and a control system, for decoding data received from the control unit ( 19 ) about the internal status of the inflatable protective device ( 11 ). 
     
     
       12. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the inflatable protective device ( 11 ) and the display unit ( 22 ) are connected to each other by means of three data lines (E, D, U):
 a first data line (E) allowing to activate the display unit ( 22 ); 
 a second data line (D) allowing the exchange of data between the control unit ( 19 ) and the microprocessor ( 36 ); 
 a third data line (U) being dedicated to receive the inputs given by the user by means of a user interface ( 34 ) on the display unit ( 22 ). 
 
     
     
       13. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the inflatable protective device ( 11 ) and the display unit ( 22 ) are connected to each other by means of an electric power line (P) allowing the supply of electric power to the display unit ( 22 ) by means of a battery ( 21 ) of the inflatable protective device ( 11 ). 
     
     
       14. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises a microprocessor ( 36 ) comprising at least a decoding system, for decoding the inputs provided by the user by means of a user interface ( 34 ). 
     
     
       15. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ) uses organic LED technology or liquid crystal display (LCD) technology or light-emitting diode (LED) technology. 
     
     
       16. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises a fastening margin ( 40 ) having an ergonomic curvature (C) for matching the curvature of the surface of the garment ( 10 ) to which the display unit ( 22 ) is fastened. 
     
     
       17. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the microprocessor ( 36 ) comprises an additional memory wherein personal information of the user are memorized. 
     
     
       18. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 17 , characterized in that the microprocessor ( 36 ) is programmed for displaying on the alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ) the personal information of the user memorized in said additional memory once the at least one inflatable bag ( 12 ) of the inflatable protective device ( 11 ) has been deployed. 
     
     
       19. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the inflatable protective device ( 11 ) and the display unit ( 22 ) are connected by means of a single line (Q) for the transmission of data and power between the control unit ( 19 ) and a microprocessor ( 19 ) of the display unit ( 22 ). 
     
     
       20. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , characterized in that said at least one signaling device ( 32 ) is integrated in the background lighting of the visual display ( 24 ); said at least one signaling device ( 32 ) comprising one or more lights designed to be positioned adjacent the visual display ( 24 ). 
     
     
       21. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , characterized in that said at least one signaling device ( 32 ) is autonomous from yet configured to supplement the visual display ( 24 );
 said at least one signaling device ( 32 ) being integrated in the display unit ( 22 ). 
 
     
     
       22. Garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the protective housing ( 39 ) is fixed to the garment ( 10 ) along the fastening margin ( 40 ).